Since 1965, the University of Lausanne and the School of Mines of
Paris have jointly developed a mineral exploration practical tuition
by simulation techniques. The first models were very empirical, but
with the use of large computers, they soon became more complicated
and realistic (VANNIER & WOODTLI, 1979). A new model, CLAIM, is being
presented here; for the first time, it works on a PC using C language
under MS-DOS. This new teaching method is very fast and allows the
instant comparison of the students' results with the model and besides
it opens numerous graphic developments.
CLAIM simulates a 400 sq. km sedimentary copper-bearing district that
students have to investigate by means of geochemical samples and
various drill rigs, starting from topographic and geologic maps,
all simulated.
Access to information is possible through a drilling function which
draws up complete drill logs. The geological setting is created by
standard sections and its spatial distribution by displacing the
section along trajectories. Topography is drawn from a base level
digitalized on a square grid, later eroded and weathered as a function
of a lithology-dependant "weathering module".
Mineralizations are simulated by so-called "spots" pictured as ellipsoidal
clouds and they are introduced by associating them to a lithologic
horizon and to X Y coordinates. Lastly, geochemically anomalous zones
are created from shallow mineralization maps.
All these technical functions are accompanied by management programmes
enabling progress of the actual game, with budget control, drilling,
assays and geochemical samples requests. Here and now, numerous developments
appear to be possible.